Coach fired for hitting player

[TexasStooge]

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Court TV) — Kentucky State University basketball coach Winston Bennett was fired last week after he assaulted one of his players during practice.

Bennett, a star player at the University of Kentucky in the 1980s, was dismissed after senior guard Ricky Green filed a complaint with the Franklin County attorney's office alleging that Bennett struck him in the face, caused his nose to bleed and tore his shirt. Green said the incident occurred during a morning practice and that several teammates witnessed it.

"I felt that this was the right thing to do," Athletics Director Derrick Ramsey said in a prepared statement. "One of the prime responsibilities I have at this institution is to protect the welfare of student athletes."

In a statement, Bennett said the incident started when Green fell out of bounds near mid court. Bennett said Green became frustrated and threw the ball into the face of teammate Scott Reynolds, who was standing nearby. Believing Reynolds' nose was broken, Bennett confronted Green and grabbed hold of Green to keep the two players separate.

"I believe Green misunderstood and overreacted by challenging my authority, and when he postured aggressively, I also overreacted," Bennett said. "He said something smart, and we both started throwing blows."

In a termination letter, the university said,"on Oct. 30, 2003, you lost your temper and assaulted a male student during a KSU basketball team practice. Specifically, witness statements indicate that you struck this student twice in the face."

Bennett, who had a 44-43 record in three seasons as coach, was a former Mr. Basketball from Male High School in Louisville. He starred at Kentucky from 1983-88, played professionally, then returned to Kentucky as an assistant coach. He ranks 20th on Kentucky's career scoring list.

[stormchazer]

A coach has got to stay above the fray!

[Skywatch_NC]

Sounds like the coach needs some Anger Management 101.

Eric

[JCT777]

That coach is not someone you would ever want to cut off in traffic.

[GalvestonDuck]

*gasp!* I remember cheering for him during all those great UK games and then when he was asst. coach under Rick Pitino.

[Lindaloo]

WELL, what kind of discipline is that player going to receive for hitting a player in the face with the basketball? What kind of discipline is the player going to receive for even questioning authority? What is going to happen to that player who also threw punches at the coach.

[Stephanie]

They all should be punished in one form or another, but to me, the coach is "the adult" and should've handled himself better.

[Derek Ortt]

The college student is alos an adult, he is above the age of 18. he should and must be expelled from the university. If he was not capabl of being an adult, he should be living with Mommy and daddy and not attending a major univeristy

[blizzard]

The college student is alos an adult, he is above the age of 18. he should and must be expelled from the university. If he was not capabl of being an adult, he should be living with Mommy and daddy and not attending a major univeristy

I have to agree with this statement. But did the witnesses say that the student also threw punches, or is that just the words of the coach? I believe the student probably did, but the story is incomplete in that regard.

[rainstorm]

the ncaa is all screwed up anyway. they make billions on the palyers backs, and pay them room and board. the players should go on strike

[weatherlover427]

If the coach is screwed up enough to fight the kids and get himself booted, then I have to question what he said in regards to the incident since his blood must have been boiling at the time. Knowing my temper, my events ssurely would be mixed up in a similar incident. :o